Words

Words. Words build up. Words build down. Words are remembered. Compliments are given and remembered throughout the day. Sharp remarks are remembered every time you fail. Words are powerful. And words can be misused.

Caustic, sharp, and unfeeling. The angry words cut through a heart that was already fragile and craving for a kind, loving word. Instead, she got the mean words that she remembers forever, in her highest and lowest moments. She didn't deserve them and even if she had, there was a better way to portray the message given, but instead a person responded with little thought as to what would happen when the girl heard the words and how they might affect her.

A cheerful compliment, given off the cuff, but absolutely genuinely. It makes her glow, feeling good about herself for the first time in weeks. It was not a big deal, just a small compliment but it made her feel happy, appreciated, and noticed. She no longer slipped in the background but shone like a star. The bad Monday turned into a happy one, simply because someone complimented her on her smile and how that smile made the day better.

Words are so powerful. The Bible talks about the tongue as a powerful tool. The Bible warns of the destruction a foolish tongue can do, and the Bible talks about the way the tongue can be uplifting.

Words heard in a whisper. Words that were never supposed to be heard by THAT person. Words that were untrue and totally unnecessary. The gossip mill is rampant, spreading a sick lie that was never meant to be shared or heard. When the person being talked about walks by and realizes they are the topic of conversation and the conversation was anything but uplifting. The feeling of disappointment, loneliness, and hurt. When did it become all about the drama and how much drama could a person talk about. When did it change to wanting to tear a person down.

Words hurt. Words soothe. Words words words. Choose them carefully. Words make or break a day. Be careful what you say. People are listening and they are being affected by the words you say and how you say them.

Dear Mom and Dad

I read this to my parents tonight at a special dinner our youth group did for our parents! Love them so much!

Mom, thank you for everything you have taught me. You taught me how to cook, even though we had burned meals at the beginning, you taught me how to do laundry, even though you endured too small clothes because we dried them when we weren't supposed to. Thank you for taking the time to teach us how to clean even though it would have been faster to do it yourself. Thank you for trying to teach me how to sew. You didn't succeed but you did ensure I would keep other seamstresses in business. But you didn't just teach me how to survive in the world. You taught me to look into all the facts before I became upset about something. You taught me to love people even when I didn't want to. You taught me that forgiveness is difficult but so rewarding. You taught me how to care for people who were brushed aside. You taught me how to make the best of any situation and you taught me how to be a good wife and mother by the shining example you have been. I have dearly loved imitating you when you get upset. I love the fact that I can finish your sentence because you are so often predictable on your reactions to something I said. I love the fact that if I am ever in doubt on what to get you, I can find French fries, Coke, something purple, or anything tea related and I am once again your favorite number 2 daughter. Mom, thank you for living your life to be an example for mine and thank you for allowing me to pick your brain and see why you made the choices you did and allowing me to seek your advice when I come asking. And Mom, my room might be dirty, but in the grand scheme of things, surely it isn’t too bad right!?

Dad, you have been a shining example of what a father and husband should be. I honestly often stand back and can’t believe you are MY dad. You cook us chicken soup when we are sick, you treat Mom with the utmost respect. You spoil us with runs to Starbucks and special dinners to celebrate our grades just to name a few. You provide for us so that we need nothing. You light up the house when you are home. We love to tease you about being an elephant when you are upstairs or walking down the stairs and the noise you make but honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. You coax Mom into a good mood if something went wrong and you make her smile when you are being insufferable. You continually teach us what a servant leader should look like. You serve others before you sit down, but when you sit down, we all know it will be about 5 seconds before you are asleep. Dad, thank you for everything. You gave me your wit, which I so appreciate, especially when we are going back and forth at each other and all Mom can do is shake her head. You gave me a, well, maybe not a love, but appreciation for running. You didn’t pass on your ability to grasp math and science without a problem, but I don’t suppose you can be perfect in everything right! You let me have another dog, two really, after Mom swore we would never get another one. You give and give and give and it does not go unnoticed. I love when I can bring you  coffee at work and chat for a few minutes. I love the fact that I can ask you any question and without fail you have an answer. And not just an answer but a thorough understanding of the subject. Thank you for the love and encouragement as I grow up and spread my wings. Thanks for being that Dad who has no problem having 4 girls but is determined that they know how to throw a football. Thank you for teaching me how to love even when I don’t want to and thank you for teaching me how to be a servant by the way you live every single moment of your life. I love you Mom and Dad.